Aesthetics

Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich signed a law that restricts the practice of tongue-splitting.

One family in Oakland, Calif., believes that a tattoo contributed to the death of their 21-year-old son, Eric Racheski.

Senetek expanded its manufacturing licensing agreement with ICN Pharmaceuticals Inc. for products containing Senetek's skincare ingredient Kinetin.

Bradley Pharmaceuticals said it will expand its sales force, primarily focusing on its Doak Dermatology Subsidiary.

The American Medical Association introduced a medical education initiative, Strategies for Teaching and Evaluating Professionalism.

The Associated Press reports that the FDA wants to cut review time of medical device technology by a month.

San Francisco - Use of silicone for cosmetic purposes remains controversial, with some experts declaring it inherently unsafe and others insisting that as long as it is used carefully, it can be used safely. Clearly, doctors who take precautions can at least reduce the risk, if not eliminate complications. In either case, FDA studies are still underway.

San Francisco - As facial implants come of age, aging faces look even younger. UltraSoft implants are part of the next generation of ePTFE facial implants designed to be softer, with a wider diameter than their predecessor, the SoftForm implant. Manufactured by Tissue Technologies Inc., San Francisco, the permanent facial implants offer dermatologic surgeons an alternative to injectable or temporary fillers for nasolabial folds or lip augmentation that Nicholas Lowe, M.D., FRCP, believes is safer and more effective.

Leading sources suggest that cosmetic surgeons should carefully monitor the psychological condition and ambitions of existing and potential cosmetic patients despite a recent study finding that aesthetic procedures significantly improve a patient's quality of life.

Boston - Applications of laser and light-based therapy will continue to grow as ongoing trends and new technologies act to shape the future of cutaneous laser surgery, R. Rox Anderson, M.D., said.

Barcelona - Hair transplantation can be a viable treatment option for cicatricial (scarring) alopecia and should be considered for patients who have suitable donor areas.

San Francisco - Several recent studies have demonstrated some interesting phenomena in the area of pediatric dermatology. Howard B. Pride, M.D., an associate in the department of dermatology at Geisinger Health System in Danville, Pa., presented some highlights.

San Francisco - Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (Varisolve, 1 percent polidocanol) has led to complete or near-complete resolution of vascular malformations in nearly three-fourths of the patients treated during a decade of therapeutic use and appears to be an effective treatment for Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome, according to Pedro Redondo, M.D., Ph.D.

More and more dermatologists are providing some level of cosmetic service to their patients. The menu of services available to dermatologic patients is wide ranging from high-end anti-aging skin products to liposuction. Botox injections, chemical peels using new drugs, and biologics provide huge opportunities for dermatologists to get on the "cash" bandwagon.

Austin, Texas - The macroimplant Bioplastique (Uroplasty BV, Netherlands) biphasic copolymer is one tissue augmentation substance that has brought both benefits and complications to the European market, where it is currently available, Robert A. Ersek, M.D., said.

Chicago - Although botulinum toxin cannot be considered a cure for scleroderma, it may improve the cutaneous manifestations of the disease in selected patients, Claudia Hernandez, M.D., said at Academy '03.

Several months ago I was invited to give a talk about "Botox for Pain" at the Summer Session of the American Academy of Dermatology, in Chicago.

San Francisco - Using submental skin as the full-thickness skin-graft-donor tissue may allow for reconstruction of large facial defects and simultaneous rejuvenation of the aging neck, Roberta D. Sengelmann, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - One of the basic tenets of medical dermatology is that the skin serves as a window into the internal parts of the body and internal diseases. Visual examination of the skin can reveal signs of systemic disease, including gastrointestinal disease such as GI polyposis syndromes, inflammatory bowel disease, GI malignancy, hepatobiliary disease, nutritional deficiencies, and other disorders, according to dermatologist Amit G. Pandya, M.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

Chicago - Hair transplant surgeons, as a group, are somewhat frustrated due to the lacking comprehension from both the public and their dermatologic colleagues regarding the advanced approach to hair transplantation that has resulted in its success today, Dow B. Stough, M.D., said at the summer meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - As dermal filler options continue to expand, choosing products and techniques best suited for each individual application becomes more challenging.

San Francisco - When treating cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), dermatologists will want to tailor their treatment to the stage of the disease, according to Madeleine Duvic, M.D., who spoke at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Having recently returned to my "roots" to assume the position of professor and chief of dermatology at my alma mater, the University of Arizona, I'm struck by the fact that, although many changes have occurred during the 30 years I've been away pursuing other academic positions and activities, much remains the same. Predictably, the campus has grown and

Anaheim, Calif. - The nonsurgical treatment of photoaging has come a long way in the past decade, Gary Lask, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery.

Nashville, Tenn. - The new injectable product Radiance FN (BioForm Inc.) is being used for facial soft-tissue augmentation with long-lasting results and high patient satisfaction, Thomas L. Tzikas, M.D., said at the Combined Otolaryngological Spring Meeting (COSM).

San Francisco - Ablative laser resurfacing procedures can result in a range of complications, including some that are serious; therefore, careful patient selection and preparation, attention to treatment technique, and close postoperative observation are critical for optimizing safety, Tina S. Alster, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

San Francisco - A better understanding of the pathophysiologic mediators of itch has led to some novel and promising approaches to its successful treatment, Gil Yosipovitch, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. Several exciting systemic therapies approved for the treatment of various neurologically mediated disorders now show potential in the treatment of itch.

San Francisco - Low and ultra-low doses of isotretinoin are an effective therapy for many acne patients. This safer and cheaper solution can even be used continuously.

San Francisco - Strategies for assuring adequate tissue oxygen delivery can be important for facilitating healing of chronic wounds, Harriet Hopf, M.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Many issues surrounding Tx of condition still up in air